Faith affects the whole family, and many stories exist throughout the Bible. The Apostle Paul reminisced about how His young co-worker, Timothy, came to faith. 1: Timothy 1:5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.[1] Think how Timothy’s life would have been different without a faithful mother and grandmother.
As Jesus was ministering in Galilee, a desperate man whose son was dying came to Him. He pleaded with Jesus to go to Capernaum to heal his son. John 4:50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. 51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.[2]
God Calls the Entire Household to Faith
As the government official returned home, he found that God had answered his prayer and healed his son. But God had an even greater gift for him. John 4:52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus.[3]
One man took a step of faith and sought out Jesus in desperation to heal his son. He believed Jesus could heal his son from a distance, and when Jesus said his son would live, he went home in faith. Putting your faith into action is difficult, but he did.
Although it was his prayer that his son would be healed, he didn’t realize how his faith would affect his entire household. Jesus healed the son from a distance, and the entire household came to know Jesus. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.[4]
The Effect of One Person’s Faith
Like a ripple in a pond, one person’s faith can dramatically affect the entire family and those around them. The government official who asked Jesus to heal his son was blessed that Jesus touched his life and his household. You may or may not be the head of a household, but your faith can make a difference to those around you.
A friend has a small business, and when he started Bible study with just part of his employees over the next year, it changed his company dramatically. Those who studied the Word began to impact those who did not attend in a way no one expected except God. You, too, can be the salt and light where the Lord has placed you.
To learn how faith affects the whole family, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/healing-a-son
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.